Tuesday, January 27, 2009

We've always been surprised at the intensity of anti-immigrant sentiment in North Carolina. Several polls over the years, including ones by The Charlotte Observer, consistently showed immigration as one of the most pressing issues for North Carolinians. It placed ahead of health care and education in more than one poll.

Well that, like so many other things, apparently was a luxury that folks can no longer afford. Public Policy Polling in Raleigh this afternoon released results of a new poll about what issues most concern N.C. voters, a question PPP asks regularly. The economy is far and away #1, of course. And the Iraq war has all but disappeared as voters' top worry.

But Tom Jensen of PPP highlights one particular finding. In October 2007, immigration was the biggest concern of 10 percent of voters in a PPP poll. Then that number dropped to 9 percent, then 5, then 4 and now 3.

"I guess for some voters having immigration as your biggest issue is a luxury that can be afforded only when the economy is relatively strong," Jensen says.

It confirms what a number of strategists were saying last year -- that immigration had declined as an issue among voters in North Carolina, who were concerned about real issues and not whether someone was going to college at out-of-state rates. Gov. Bev Perdue's people surely knew this, and why she pandered to a voting group that did not exist in any significant number continues to be a mystery.

I would be interested in how the question was posed to people. If they said "do you think immigration is the biggest concern you have now" the answer would most definitely be no. If they asked "are you concerned about people entering our country and state illegally and remaining here illegally, making no effort to become legal citizens, yet continuing to utilize benefits intended for legal citizens?" then most would answer yes. I think this is just another liberal agenda wanting to get the word out that people don't care about illegal immigration so they can further their plans of amnesty.

In typical fashion, you don't use the term "illegal." Call it like it is. Also, as they say about statistics, you can torture them and they'll tell you whatever you want. With the economy in such poor shape, I agree that attention has shifted to that, and for good reason. But don't try to read this as a trend toward people willing to look the other way and accept law-breaking ILLEGAL immigrants. Nice try.

Give me a break! Right now the economy and issues relating directly to the economy far outweigh anything on the radar. That does not mean that people are no longer concerned about issues such as our runaway levels of immigration -- legal and illegal. Immigration in many ways ties directly into our economy when you look at the various costs in healthcare, education, and services that are foisted upon taxpayers as well as the reduced wages that result from the increased population of low-skilled uneducated workers flooding the market.

I love those who want to equate supporters of lower immigration with being racist because they willfully ignore the reality that the group most harmed by our tsunami of immigration --- again both legal and illegal -- have been Black Americans. Shouting racism is simply a leftist tactic to shut down the debate. That won't work here.

With NC having the highest percentage of "immigrant" increase of any state between '95-'05, and with a majority of these "immigrants" thought to be "illegal" by state officials, why would you (authors of the article) be surprised at NC citizens' concerns? Sounds like you need to do some background research.

The title of this article should be "Anti-illegal alien" & not "Anti-immigrant" because there is a drastic difference & it is not fair to the many immigrants that work hard to follow all U.S. immigration laws to legally be present in the U.S. & NC. And if you are against legal immigration because you think they are taking away U.S. jobs, you seriously do not know or understand the system.

Anyone ever look into how hard it is to LEGALLY get citizenship in this country. If you couldn't find work, couldn't feed your family, or had to live in absolute squalor with a terrible job that just barely made ends meet, and it took years to legally go to say Virginia to get plenty available work, would you wait those years?

Is this what passes for detailed political analysis at the Observer? We have some poll of unknown validity that shows a drop in concern for immigration throughout the state during a time of global economic meltdown and disappearing jobs and somehow this must mean that an "anti immigrant mood is dropping in N.C."? Never mind that a rational concern over the problems associated with a large influx of immigrants into our state has suddenly become nothing more than racism, but the staffers then have to somehow come to the conclusion that this concern is somehow a luxury of good economic times. Do you guys get paid for this stuff?

Can the liberal bias shine through any more clearly than through this example? Just wait until they try to ram another amnesty through and yet again the American taxpayers will be asked to pony up additional billions of dollars for the cost. The issue of immigration which is on the backburner for now will once again trouble the nation and state.

If I ask you the question, "Do you like or dislike Immigrants?", what would you say? Yes I like Immigrants.

The fact is Immigrant and Illegal Immigrant are two totally different things.

So why not ask do you like Illegal Immigrants?

That is why you can not depend on this report. In fact it is trying to do what the Observer seems to always do and trying to confuse you over the Illegal versus legal Immigrant.

Keep in mind the legal one is one who does due diligence to become a citizen and join our communities.

Illegals are often only here for a short period of time seeing only personal benefits.

Funny how the recent report that illegals cost North Carolina a BILLION dollars a year extra to educate and provide health care for these people who are in this country Illegally did now see the light of day in the Observer.

But this corruption of words comes out as a shining example. Taylor Batten and Jack Betts are you trying to keep up that same old mess when circulation continues to drop like a rock?

Greg, it should be difficult to get into this country legally. Quite simply there are far more people that want to come here than we could ever possibly take and that dynamic means that the process and qualifications have to be difficult. That does not excuse the behavior of those that choose to enter illegally anymore than we should excuse the behavior of a bank robber that executes his craft because he wants to also feed and care for his family.

We have to get beyond this notion that it is the right of every citizen of this world to become a resident of our great country should they choose. Immigration should be solely about what is in the best interests of our country and not about what is fair. Quite frankly I don't see how we as a country benefit from the mass importation of poverty in our modern welfare state.

Concern over illegal immigration, the economy and health care are all tightly interwoven issues. Illegal immigration has resulted in overcrowded hospital emergency rooms and driven down wages in many markets. By the way, if you think being anti-illegal immigration equates to racism, then bless your little pea-brained soul!

Why is it so difficult to distinguish between legal and illegal immigration? Writers will attempt to cloud the waters when they want to present or back illegal immigration by presenting a biased view supporting illegal immigrants.

I hope there will be more concern over "illegal" immigration. Local and state budgets are suffering right now and I think one way budgets should be cut is to reduce the number of programs that cater to foreign speaking languages. Imagine the money that could be saved if we were not providing a multitude of "english as a second language" options.

Lets be straight its illegal Mexicans thats the problem. I am against illegal immigration. Illegal Mexicans will ruin this state. Look at California. This paper is a left wing socialist rag.One of the worst I have seen and I grew up in S. California.I would never pay for it. I just look at it online sometimes to be amazed at the ingnorance of your reporters.

I've never met a single person who was "anti immigrant." I do know plenty who have had it up to their eyebrows with illegal aliens.

My own wife is an immigrant, from the Philippines, and a naturalized citizen. Why should her siblings have to wait 23 years to legally immigrate to the United States when these criminals who jumped the fence and are here now demand citizenship and are almost certain to get it?

Mexico is now the second most dangerous threat to the United States just behind Iran..we must secure our borders NOW..the gangs and drug lords have taken over Mexico and anarchy reigns! Legalizing the "illegals" does nothing but encourage Mexicans to come north and spread their 3rd world mentality to the United States! Wake up America!

Hey, just do not forget you european white ass, that back in the early days when your ancestor come here killing native americans,Q:Does your ancestor come here legally to the U.S.A?If you have an answer for that it will be just a garbage like the one that come out your mouth.Travel to another part of the world so that way you get educated about immigration all around the world. STOP BEEING HATEFULL TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT WHITE. (ANIMALS)

i don't know about the rest of you people,but i'm a native american.i was born here.as far as people saying that they're african american i guess i'm that too.they say that all life began in africa so i have just as much right to say i'm african american as the next person.as far as being legal,you still have to follow the rules and do it the right way.they're overloading our healthcare and criminal justice system to the point that it won't make any difference where you're from because there won't be enough money to help anyone.

All of you need to thank all of the illegal immigrants for your skyscrapers and clean roads and any other job that no one else wants to do. They are not able to get welfare (unless it is for their children, who are legal citizens since they were born in America) and be lazy like some American citizens. They actually have to work....and the majority of them work very hard to make a better life for them and their families. Let's get real...they aren't taking the jobs that Americans WANT...they are doing the jobs that no one wants.

I have to agree that a lot of people dislike illegal immigrants and NOT immigrants. I am an American citizen who came to this country ilegally. Many people do not understand the circumstances why we do this and don't even understand the part that our embassies play those countries we come from. Unfortunally there are a lot of misunderstanding and ignorance about a lot of things behind all this. I deployed twice with the US Army while I was illegal and the last time I was a citizen. EVERY time I deployed I did it willing to give my life for the American next to me and our flag and what it represents. I earned my citizenship, I wasn't born with it, I didn't get it because of my family had money or because I marrried another citizen. We may be illegal but we can love this country more than some Americans... I treated patients who were injured and killed by an American soldier in Kuwait at the beginning of the war and believe me a piece of paper that says now that I am a citizen is just a piece of paper that let me vote and travel with an American visa. What makes me an American, and darnm proud of it is what is inside, is what made me risk my own life to save others in the combat zone when I knew I had nothing to gain but to come back to a country that could deport me and that sometimes made me wondered if I got killed if I could still be burried in what in my heart was my country... As far as I'm concern, I have been an American for way more years than what "that paper" says I am and sometimes is even sad to see the date from when I am considered American when I was in the deserts of Kuwait long before that date risking my life side by side with my fellow soldiers, sailors, airman and marines. What I have come to realize is that what is important is not a piece of paper but the love a person has in his or her heart for this country. I understand when ppl talked harshly about illegals but sometimes is human nature not to understand what we haven't live or when we haven't seen both sides of the coin...

When about every other night you hear of a drunk driving traffic fatality involving an hispanic, an anti-immigrant mood (justified or not) is going to develop. Right now, the economy is issue number one, but immigration is still a VERY important issue on a lot of people's minds.

When did this article first come on-line. Isn't about time for Taylor Batten and Jack Betts to sign on and apologize for the misleading article and correct their mis-information. Please post your apology in a timely manner.

Who exactly are they polling, the student body at Duke, UNC & NC State? I don't know anyone except ADD afflicted college students orbusiness people who take advantage of illegals who want them or their crime/disease/audacity in America.It is estimated that for every $1 dollar in taxes they supposidely pay they and their extended familes use $3 dollars in gov't programs. How many American citizens have to die before "Enough is Enough" is screamed from shore to shore!

If I happen to be a black Hispanic, and I am anti illegal immigration, does that mean I hate myself? Racist? Please. You white liberals assign that name because you hate to lose an argument and that word trumps all the rest in your liberal dictionary. I hope you are a victim of identity theft and lets see how open borders you are then.

One of the earlier posters said ifyou are against legal immigration because they take our jobs, you don't understand. There are many computer pgmrs. out of work in Charlotte and there are many immigrants from a certain country who have moved here and taken the available jobs.I don't hate anybody,but I think American citizens should be employed first. I was laid off and due to my age I will never get back into programming. So I make $10 an hour now while people from other countries are brought in to take the good jobs. Enlighten me on why they are entitled to come here. I am not racist because I think American citizens should come first.

I have been working with my Iraqi interpreter for almost two years now, trying to help him gain a visa to move to the US. This is someone that has sacrificed and risked his life next to Americans. He has earned a right to be here.

As long as there are illegals continuing to come into this country, he continues to get delayed.

I am all for immigration, for those that have earned it and deserve it.

Simply crawling under a fence unannounced is trespassing in my book. If you let me know you want to come visit, I will open my door for you.

As I read these comments, it occured to me that my own legal/illegal argument is not really holding up to scrutiny. My neighborhood has been altered drastically by the sheer numbers of Hispanic residents. If every one of my imported neighbors were a legal immigrant, the character and conditions of this part of Charlotte would be exactly as they are now. Legal or otherwise, this once very nice part of town will never recover. And the people in charge are scared to death to admit it.

As others have pointed out, if the question asked wasn't so deliberately deceptive, the results would have been a lot different. You want to know why people here are so anti-illegal? It's because a lot of people moved here from S. Florida and saw first hand what happens to an area that is over run with illegals!

The last post was hilarious...Illegal Canadaians??? Yeah, I suppose there might be a couple hundred spread across the country whereas there are probably the same number spread across one street block in Charlotte. If there were 20 million illegal desperately poor Canadians using our services and bringing down our wages the uproar wouldn't be any different. Sorry libs, believe it or not ever outrage in our country does not have to do with race.

Those that post or say this problem is "Racist" are possibly thinking of what they themselves feel. I believe it has been the liberal bleeding hearts that have given most the bait to call it racist. As one writer indicates his street could be called "Little Mexico" and the neighborhood is ruined and will never recover. Some years ago people from Vietnam moved into certain parts of town, living 10-15 to a house. The neighbors, when possible, moved and those areas have now, for the most part, recovered. No, it's not racist. It is the fact that most are illegal immigrants and those that use the term racist are still trying to use the word "Racist" to race-bait. Perhaps those that have used the word racist are possiblly Hispanic.

There is ALWAYS one saying "Oh but we do the jobs Youuuuuuuuuuuuu don't want too" which I say BS to!

I know a manager that lost his job a few summers ago and to try and make some money till he found another job he ATTEMPTED to have a lawn service but guess who had filled all those positions?

Just because you are doing work that you rationalize cannot be done by ANYONE but an illegal does not make you ANY less of a criminal! Our taxes in North Carolina are paying to a tune of 1.2 BILLION dollars for you. It is robbing us,our children,and their childrens children.That 1.2 Billion is from a 2 year old report also. They say the new number is closer to 3 BILLION. How in heavens name can you say you are doing us ANY favors. LEAVE our country NOW! And SOMEONE please inforce the damn LAW!!!!!!

If the Observer editorial writers were truly interested in intelligent discussion about immigration issues they would have written a piece that acknowledged the problems that massive (mostly illegal) immigration has created for our state and our community. "We've always been surprised at the intensity of anti-immigrant sentiment in North Carolina."???? Give me a break--how can citizens not be concerned about the challenges we have all seen within our school system, health care system, etc. To express concern about what has been happening is not racist or anti-immigrant. Without concern solutions will never be found. I am not impressed with the opinion pages produced by the current editorial page staff. To a one their columns and editorials are heavy handed, needlessly divisive, and, most unfortunately, very shallow.

"Let's get real...they aren't taking the jobs that Americans WANT...they are doing the jobs that no one wants."

Another complete fallacy. They are doing the jobs that no one wants at the below market wage being offered. Allow the market of supply and demand to work and some native born American will do the job at the right price.

The reality is that the employment of illegals is nothing more than corporate welfare with taxpayers being made to pay for the additional costs that illegals bring to our society.

As the old Midas commercial says, "You can pay me now or you can pay me later". Sure employers get cheaper labor and consumers get cheaper products up front but this is more than made up for in the costs that taxpayers have to cover in additional healthcare costs, education costs, welfare costs, reduced wages, etc. etc. etc. I'd rather pay the upfront costs that allow a native born American to receive a decent wage and a respectable living doing honorable hard work.

Iraq citizens who have sacrificed and worked alongside Americans do not deserve to come here. Staying in their country and making it a better place would be the right thing to do since thousands of Americans have lost life and limb to make them free. If all the decent people of Iraq leave no one will be left to fight against oppression.

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The Observer's editorial board cares deeply about Charlotte and the Carolinas, and has a problem with public officials who have forgotten that they report to citizens. Editorial page editor Taylor Batten and associate editors Peter St. Onge and Eric Frazier tackle politics and public policy issues locally, across the state and nation. Kevin Siers tackles those issues too in cartoons. Read their columns and biographical information on the CharlotteObserver.com Opinion page.